Removal of all buildings at 5,000ft. elevation in the central hills not feasible

By Shane Seneviratne 

Former Senior Professor from the Geological Science Faculty at the University of Peradeniya Athula Senaratne, said the decision to remove all constructions situated in the hill country at an elevation above 5,000 feet would adversely affect the country’s economy and tourism sector. 

He told the media that Nuwara Eliya town is at an elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level and that the removal of tea industry and other trades would result in serious consequences. 

Prof. Senaratne pointed out that as an alternative mechanism to avoid danger of landslides abandoned land in the central hills could be used for afforestation projects, and that abandoned tea estates should be used for afforestation as a pilot project. 

He said a feasibility study with attention on the condition of soil layers should be carried out before implementing afforestation projects in areas with boulders.